Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Sunday night 4/7/24, I was on my way to the emergency department with my 5 month old baby to be seen. 30min into my drive i came to a stop light when my truck completely shut off (BLACKOUT) No Power, NO LIGHTS not even my hazard would turn on, my car wouldn't go into park or allow me to press on my breaks it was like they were glued stuck. all my doors locked and I couldn't get them to open, not even manually because of the nobs that go all the way in. I couldn't put the car into park or anything just got locked in my car and I couldn't even hit the OnStar because everything was off! …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked, with an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where the contact was provided DTC: P0420 (Catalytic converter was fractured and punctured, and a bracket was missing). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the muffler was punctured and not the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then took the vehicle to a Valvoline Center to be diagnosed and DTC: P0420; was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there were abnormal sounds coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded like a motorcycle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and DTC: P0171 was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there were cracks in the exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter pipe at Bank 2 and Bank 1 that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681A. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter was leaking and there was a blockage in the catalytic converter. The contact was also informed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that upon lifting the hood, there was a rodent nest near the engine cover. The contact related the failure to GM Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681C (Exhaust leak, Lean Codes, Rattle Noise, or Catalytic Converter Failure Codes); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact's son owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic who could not perform the repair. The contact was referred to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a crack in the catalytic converter had caused a defect within the exhaust manifold. The contact was then informed that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681C and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for the TSB repair due to the mileage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the exhaust bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the vehicle was associated with N212356540 (Front Exhaust Pipe) and referred the contact to the dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure and a case was opened. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made a loud abnormal sound. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the mounting bracket for the front driver's side exhaust pipe had fractured, causing a hole in the front exhaust pipe. The dealer also determined that the mounting bracket for the passenger's side exhaust pipe had started to detach. The dealer informed the contact that the passenger's side exhaust pipe would be repaired under warranty; however, she would be charged a repair fee for the driver's side exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured flex pipe. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with GM Technical Service Bulletin: PIP 5681C and Manufacturer Communication Number: 10211780 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the failure was not covered under warranty. The contact spoke with the manufacturer, who also confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Unknown to some, but yesterday Saturday around 12:30 I was inspecting the speaker ports in the rear 3rd row passenger area and I noticed these square tabs that says airbags, also in the very middle of second row the same thing but in the rear I was removing one of the mouldings to see why the speakers were not playing, upon inspection there are no speakers and neither are there any form of side and or rear collision safety devices ( airbags) other than seatbelts. If that truck were in an accident say like a T-Bone, or rear end collision, or side rear impact no one is guaranteed safely making out without adverse affects on their bodies and health. I'm starting to wonder if this traverse was salvaged and or restored. Why are there no safety features in this truck?!!
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormally loud rattling sound. The contact stated that the failure also occurred upon starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the mounting bracket on the front exhaust pipe had separated from the pipe and might develop a hole in the exhaust pipe. The dealer determined that the front exhaust pipe mounting bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Engine complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, 41% of the model year's 234 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.